A resident Fernando Mendonca asks the upcoming new government (VII government) to establish a rigorous law to regulate vendors who sell on street sites in order for them to obey the law.

A resident Fernando Mendonca asks the upcoming new government (VII government) to establish a rigorous law to regulate vendors who sell on street sites in order for them to obey the law.

Sr. Mendonca said often selling on street sites impeded traffic movements, impacted on people walking and public and private transport.“As a community I urge the upcoming new government to create a rigorous law for the vendors to follow,” he urged in Dili.He acknowledged that they often sell on street sites out of necessity but this must not impact on vendors in the markets."Often vegetables are rotten in the market because they are not sold out, because people buy vegetables from the street sites," he said.On the other hand, a vendor at Taibesi market, Domingas Gonçalves disputed this claim and said the market was larger and their goods were not sold out.“They get $10 to $15 each day, and use some money for meals and some to buy school necessities for their children,” she said.Sra Domingas Goncalves also said it was good to sell in the market, because they can sell in the shade and in a calm place, where as it is different selling on a street site as the vegetables may be covered by dust.In response to this issue, both the head of the Market Management, Hygiene, Public Order Department and Dili Municipality, Berta Santa Gonçalves Viera stated that there was no tolerance for vendors selling on side of streets.“The place for selling goods is Manleu and Taibesi markets. If people get caught selling on footpaths all the goods will be taken,” she said.She said the market management team conducted a weekly routine check, not only to the vendors but also to the shops.When market management teams arrive, they take their goods, the site vendors know they have broken the law.